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Keller @ Large: Alan Khazei 'Very Confident' He Can Beat Scott Brown

BOSTON (CBS) - Several contenders are busy raising money as they consider running for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Scott Brown.

WBZ's Jon Keller recently sat down with one of those candidates, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei.

Khazei raised a good amount of money and scored some key endorsements when he ran in the special election for Senate in January 2010, months after Sen. Ted Kennedy's death. Despite that, Khazei finished third in a four-person race in the Democratic primary, losing to Martha Coakley by 34 points.

What's different this time around?

Part 1:

"That was my first race. I was starting from scratch. I only had 90 days. I feel really good about what we were able to accomplish, and all the people that really did support me, going from 0 to almost 90,000 votes," said Khazei. "What's different now is that I have more time."

What makes up Khazei's political platform?

"People I think are responding to the message I put out there, that we need to end the dominance of special interests in Washington, that we need to focus on growing our economy and putting people back to work. I've been an entrepreneur. I've created jobs. We need to bring people back in our political process and governing process. We have to have citizens in charge again. That's what my life's been about: empowering citizens.

Why does Khazei think Scott Brown win the special election in January 2010?

Part 2:

"I think it was a unique moment. I think it was a special election. It was a very quick election. I think that he sort of was at a position in time where everything fell into place for him," said Khazei.

Can Khazei beat Brown in 2012?

"I am very confident that I can beat Scott Brown for two reasons: (1) I don't think he's in tune with Massachusetts, Massachusetts voters and our values. He's voting 87-90 percent of the time with the Republican leadership. He's voting to cut serious programs like Headstart, scholarships for kids. He's voted against women's paycheck fairness and he wants to cut the Clean Air Act, but even more than that (2) he's not leading. At a time when our country needs leadership, needs people to reach across the aisle, needs people to roll up their sleeves and get things done, I haven't seen Scott Brown lead on any issue," said Khazei.

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